What is sciatica?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Sciatica is nerve pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, which runs from the lower back through the hips, buttocks, and down each leg. Common symptoms include sharp or burning pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness—typically affecting one side of the body.

Because sciatica symptoms can overlap with other conditions like a herniated disc, muscle strain, or piriformis syndrome, identifying the true cause is key to finding relief. A free, instant online symptom check can help you understand what may be triggering your pain and guide your next steps—whether that's home care, physical therapy, or seeing a specialist. It only takes a few minutes and could save you time, worry, and unnecessary discomfort.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Understand what’s causing your sciatica Discover if your pain needs urgent care See whether symptoms match a serious cause Find OTC relief for sciatica pain Locate a doctor for sciatica care Learn safe home remedies for sciatica Find out if this is sciatica

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Explanation

Sciatica is a condition where you feel pain along the path of the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in your lower back and travels down through your hips, buttocks, and each leg. People with sciatica often feel pain in their lower back, buttocks, and legs, which can be sharp or burning. Sometimes, it might feel like a jolt or electric shock.

Causes

Herniated Disk: One common cause is a herniated disk in the spine that presses on the nerve.
Bone Spurs: Bone spurs, which are bony growths, can also press on the nerve.

Symptoms

Pain in the back, buttocks, or legs
Tingling or numbness in the legs
Muscle weakness

Risk Factors

Age: As people get older, their spine changes, which can lead to sciatica.
Weight: Being overweight can put more pressure on the spine.
Lifestyle: Sitting for long periods or not getting enough exercise can increase the risk.

Prevention

Stay active and exercise regularly.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Practice good posture when sitting or standing.

Sciatica can be very uncomfortable, but there are ways to manage and treat it. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you can use our free symptom checker to better understand what might be causing your discomfort and determine if you should consult a healthcare provider.

(References)

Valat JP, Genevay S, Marty M, Rozenberg S, & Koes B. (2010). Sciatica. Best practice & research. Clinical rheumatology, 20227645.
van Tulder M, Peul W, & Koes B. (2010). Sciatica: what the rheumatologist needs to know. Nature reviews. Rheumatology, 20142811.
Fairag M, Kurdi R, Alkathiry A, Alghamdi N, Alshehri R, Alturkistany FO, et al. (2022). Risk Factors, Prevention, and Primary and Secondary .... Cureus, 36514653.

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